An Annual Rite of Spring: Derek Holland's Teasing Us Again

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SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 12: Starting pitcher Derek Holland #45 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the fifth inning at Safeco Field on April 12, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Life would be so much easier for the Rangers if Derek Holland would be consistent. Tuesday night we were reminded just how much easier.

Holland, as he’ll do from time to time, threw in a dominating performance in Seattle, limiting the Mariners to only four singles in a 8-0 victory.

Adrian Beltre hit and Nomar Mazara fielded. But this one was about Holland, who has spent most of the last four seasons trying to return to the performance that shut out the Cardinals in Game 4 of the 2011 World Series.

Injuries. Inconsistency. Focus. More times than not Holland doesn’t reach his potential. If he did the Rangers would have a nasty 1-2-3 rotation of Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels and Holland.

Against the Mariners we again got a glimpse of how good he can be. Seattle managed just three infield hits and a broken-bat blooper. He struck out four and walked two in recording his first win of the season.

Last year Holland teased us with a dominating one-hitter in August, but then gave up three homers in the first two innings of a playoff loss to the Blue Jays. He’s frustrating. When Holland is good he can be great. And when he’s not, well …

A sign of his career? None of us would be surprised if Holland gets bombed in his next start. Here’s hoping he’s done teasing us. Finally.

A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.